Youth Sailing Scholarships

Making sailing accessible.

Applications will be available November 15th below.

The Nantucket Community Sailing Scholarship Program provides students enrolled in Nantucket schools, or homeschooled in Nantucket, access to NCS youth sailing camps regardless of financial circumstances. Scholarships are made possible through the generosity of private donors and foundations who believe every child should have the opportunity to learn the lifelong skills of sailing.

Nantucket Resident Youth can expect, at least, up to two weeks of funding, less the $100 deposit. Applicants should register for as many weeks as they are interested in, as additional funding may be available and will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis and as funds remain available. Nantucket High School Varsity Sailing Team sailors are eligible for 100% funding on all requested weeks, less the $100 deposit. More about our NHS Scholarship can be found here.

Applications received after January 8th will be considered as funds remain available.

Scholarship Structure

Week 1

You pay $100 (minimum $350 value)

Weeks 2-8

50% scholarship per week

Availability

Scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis as funds are available.*

*Availability varies by program.

Application & Registration Timeline

Priority Scholarship Deadline: Friday, January 8, 2027 at 4:00 PM
Scholarship Funds Allocation Begins: Monday, February 8, 2027
Year-Round Island Youth Registration: Opens: Tuesday, January 19, 2027 at 12:00 PM (EST); Closes Friday, January 22, 2027 at 12:00 PM (EST)
Payment Due or Auto-Bill Option: Friday, February 12, 2027

Waitlists are available during General Registration. Families may also register during Returning Sailor or General Registration if space allows.

How to Apply for a Scholarship

Complete the NCS Scholarship Application
Submit the application by email: registration@nantucketsailing.org or drop off: NCS Main Office, 4 Winter Street (Coffin School basement)
Register your sailor during Year-Round Island Youth Registration

Please note: Submitting a scholarship application does not automatically register a sailor — both steps are required. See here for more information on Youth Programming.

In addition to the general scholarship funding that is available to Nantucket’s resident youth, NCS offers additional funding in the form of the below named scholarships. Recipients for these named scholarships will be chosen from the pool of general applicants who have filled out the current year's scholarship application.

Nantucket Community Sailing is delighted to announce a new sailing scholarship for year-round island youth, thanks to the generous support of the Great Harbor Yacht Club Foundation. The Great Harbor Yacht Club Foundation Scholarship was established in 2026 to support Nantucket resident students learning to sail or advancing their sailing skills while learning to appreciate and protect Nantucket Harbor. In order to apply for this scholarship the sailor must submit a Scholarship Application to NCS. Scholarship recipients shall write a thank-you letter to the Great Harbor Yacht Club Foundation in care of Nantucket Community Sailing.

Established in 2019 to honor Dr. Meg Blair’s passion for sailing and teaching children through time on the water. Awarded to two year-round Nantucket youth each year for up to four weeks of sailing. Recipients complete a scholarship application and write a thank-you note to the Blair family.

Established in 2008 to honor NCS founder Alan Newhouse and his love of introducing young sailors to Polpis Harbor. Awarded to two year-round Nantucket youth each year for up to four weeks of sailing at Polpis Harbor. Recipients write a thank-you letter to the Newhouse family.

Established in 2024 to support advanced youth sailors pursuing long-term skill development and racing. Awards 4–5 scholarships annually, including Opti or 420 race team sailors. Recipients submit a brief written statement and write a thank-you letter shared with Whidden Fund donors.